I strongly oppose this proposition to allow Athletic Trainers to perform needle insertion. Needling is not a part of their core education therefore this poses a great public safety issue. The public is not aware of the great difference in training when seeking out needling, thus we are diluting the quality and safety of care available to the public if we allow this. It is my professional opinion that licensed acupuncturists are the only practitioners qualified to perform needle insertion. An acupuncturist receives 2500-5000 hours of masters or doctorate level education with includes supervised needling technique and needling safety skills during these 4-5 years of education. While "dry needling" courses are 1-2 weekends in length. There is no comparison in the training length and depth. Safety skills, let alone effective technique, are not honed in 2 weekends. I hope that public safety is held with utmost concern with this determination.